Electron-discharge device



Feb. 2 1926. 1,571,499 J. H. THOMPSON ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed NOV. 17, 1924 M )1 l7 J 7 7 /7 a :I "H 6 :EIII m U FIQi FIG 5 gvwwnhw JAME5 H. THOMPSON,

Maw/$44 Patented Feb. 2,1926.

om n STATES I 1,571,499. PATENT crates.

J'AHES HENRY THOMPSON, F HOLLIDAYS COVE, WEST VIRGINIA,

a nnnoraoiv nrsonnnen :onvrca.

Application filed November 17, 1924. Serial No. 750,340.

- erence being bad therein to the accompany- .ing drawings.

This invention relates to an electron discharge device in the nature of an electron tube or bulb of the character commonly em-,

ployed for various purposes, such as detect-.

ing, transmitting and amplifying electric signals; particularly in the art of wlreless telegraphy and telephony.

Electron discharge devices of this character are in common use and their principle of operation is well known. The present 1nvention does not involve any new mode-of operation but is designed to provide an 1111- proved structure in an article of thls sort, of such a nature as to render it possible to readily repair or replace the filament of the -device without danger of disturbing the other elements thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to so dispose the cathode or filament that while it is placed in position to lend itself to ready repair, it will also be so disposed as to be in the most eifioient relation to the electrode and anode is disposed in the form of a double dlagonal as will be hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tube or bulb of the character-described, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the filament supporting posts upon an enlarged scale, and

Figure 4 is an underslde plan view of the base or stem of the bulb, illustrating the relation of the several terminals.

Like numerals designate correspondingbe understood that the shape of the bulb makes no difference but that I contemplate plates. To this end the filament employing a bulb of any suitable size or shape. Sealed into the stem of the bulb are two upstanding filament supporting posts 7 and 8. Those portions of these posts which lie within the bulb. 5 are preferably of sub stantially quarter-round form and carry extensions, or ears 9, 9 and 10, 10. These extensions receive short binding screws 11,

which preferably have slots 12 cut in their smaller ends; said slots providing means by which the screws may be tightened with a screw driver as will be hereinafter set forth.

The cathode or filament, made of any suitable refractory material-such, for example, as tungsten, consists of the strands 13 and 14 which are disposed in the double diagonal formation shown, strand 13 extending from the ear 9 of post 7 to the ear. 10 of post 8 and the strand 14 extending from the ear 9 of post 7 to the ear 10 of post 8. These strands are disposed upon opposite sides of the electrode plate 15 and they are disposed between anode plates 16 and 17. All of these plates are corrugated as best illustrated in Figure 2, to give them the necessary rigidity to eliminate vibration. The anode plates 16 and 17 are carried by posts 18. and 19, the lower ends of which are connected by the conductors, indicated at 20 and 21, to a. com-.

ductors 26 and 27 with terminal: posts 28 and 29 marked F for filament.

- Since the posts 7 and 8 are of quarterround formation and since those portions of the screws whichare slotted for the reception of the screw-driver are exposed at the inner faces of the said posts,'it follows that a screw driver -to be engaged with said screws may approach the screws at such an angle and in such relation to the anode plates that there will be no danger of touching the anode plates and disturbing their position. Furthermore the filament constituted by the strands 13 and 14 is so disposed in the open spaces between the electrode plate and the anode plates as to be readily slipped therefrom for purposes of repair. The surfaces of the anode plates are preferably made somewhat smaller than the surins face of the controlling electrode plate. It

. plicity, consistin is tobe particularly noted that while the cathode or filament is of the utmost simmerely of two strands, and those rea y and freely removable through the open space between the electrode plate and the anode lates,'yet these filaments are so dispo by reason of their double diagonal disposition, as to bring practically all of the surface of the several plates in opposition thereto, so that maximum efliciency in operation will be secured.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set .forth but that it includes within its purview whatever chan es fairly come within either the terms or t e spirit ofthe appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An electron discharge device com rising two separate filamentary cathodes a apted to emit electrons, a controlling electrode plate enclosed'by said cathodes and within electron. receiving relation thereto said cathodes beingso disposed as to form a double diagonal across the controllin electr de plate,-upon the opposite sides t ereof and extendin from corner to corner and be-' yond the con use thereof.

2. An electron discharge devicecomprising a pair of anode plates and a controlling electrode plate disposed therebetween, in

mentar cathode elements, one ying each si e of the controlling electrode and between said electrode late an the anode lates, said cathode e ements being inclin site d'irccobli%uely and in op tions across t e faces of said p ates and extending beyond the side edges thereof.

3. An electron dischar e device comprising a controlling electro e plate and a pair of anode plates upon opposite sides of the electrode plate, a pair of filament sup rting posts disposed at the opposite. ;en s of the electrode plate and outwardly thereof and separate filamentsconstitutin cathodes extending between said posts an disposed in double diagonalformation, said filaments extending through the spaces between the electrode plate and the anode plates.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JAMES HENRY THOMPSON. 

